Campaigners Granted High Court Appeal in Farm Development Dispute

Activists have secured the opportunity for a High Court appeal hearing concerning their protracted dispute to prevent a residential development on a dairy farm. The Save Westridge Farm Campaign had previously accumulated over £57,000 to finance multiple legal challenges against the Isle of Wight Council. The proposal for constructing 473 residences on the farm, situated near Ryde, was first rejected before being subsequently approved at the identical council meeting in 2021. A High Court judge determined in August that the authority had adhered to appropriate procedures. During the council planning meeting in July 2021, it was noted that over 500 objections to the development had been submitted, alongside a petition bearing 4,000 signatures. An initial vote to reject the application was reversed because councillors could not reach a consensus on the grounds for refusal. Councillor Michael Lilley’s exclusion from the meeting occurred due to the stated reason that he had a predetermined stance on the matter. He stated: “This has been a principled fight against turning rich agricultural and environmentally important land, including the habitat and feeding grounds of endangered species, into a cash-rich development site.” He added: “The planning committee meeting back in July 2021 and subsequent process was simply flawed and cruel. Residents have had a case and have been brave and courageous enough to believe the community and nature deserved justice.” Greenfields, the legal representatives for the campaigners, commented: “The Westridge Farm planning application was riddled with injustices from beginning to end. “We sincerely hope that through this bitter process, and whatever the final outcome, the council and its planning department… finally respect how the ordinary people of the island feel about these green fields.” The Holliday family operated the tenant farm for a period of 55 years, concluding in 2022. Archie Holliday, aged eight, had previously appeared in a social media campaign video, expressing his desire to become a farmer “like my dad, grandad and great-grandad”. Captiva Homes, the developer, had previously stated that the project would safeguard 80 local jobs and provide “desperately-needed” housing, comprising 166 affordable residences. The Isle of Wight Council has been contacted for a statement. The High Court in London is scheduled to hear the appeal over two days in the upcoming year.